d absolutely indifferent to life.

When one was shot down, half a dozen took his place. Even the few
women fought like tigresses. The truth was they were crazed for want
of water.

In the cabin, Rucker and one seaman had been literally torn limb from
limb. The remaining man escaped into the captain's room.

Duff, who was without weapons, clambered through the stern window of
his room, and gained the deck by way of the vessel's stern post and a
rope thrown him by Ralph, who had been summoned to the wheel when the
alarm was given. The lad was chafing at his inactivity.

"There's hardly any breeze," said Duff. "Lash the wheel, my lad, and
bear a hand. If those niggers gain the deck we're gone up sure."

It was but the task of a moment to obey, seize a cutlass from the rack
and follow the mate to the companion-way, where Gary and what was left
of the men with him were being forced up the steps.

The captain was covered with blood from a scalp wound, but he was equal
to several ordinary men. Skillfully parrying the blows directed at his
life, he had laid more than one burly savage low.

But the number and fury of the yelling crowd were irresistible.
Seizing the weapons of their dead and wounded assailants, they fought
with the blind energy of desperation.

"Batten down the main hatch," called Gary, seeing Duff and Ralph.
"Bludson is gone, but we can hold them until you return."

The order was swiftly executed. Then the second mate and Ralph,
assisted by one sailor, brought forward the heavy storm covering of the
after companion-way and placed it in readiness. A charge down was then
made and the negroes driven back a little.

"Now, men," cried Gary, springing up to the deck, at the rear of his
men, "down with it! Jump on it, and batten her--batten her!"

With both hatches thus secured, they were in undisputed possession of
the deck, though the whole interior of the ship, except the forecastle,
was at the mercy of the negroes. The triumphant howls of the latter
were deafening.

Suddenly a shriek was heard. The savages had entered the captain's
stateroom and fallen upon the sailor who had taken refuge there.

On deck Gary counted his help. He found that besides Bludson and
Rucker five sailors were missing. His available force, including
himself, Duff and Ralph, amounted only to ten.

Two of these were desperately wounded, one having his throat actually
torn by the teeth of the cannibals below.

T